Continuous casting-machine.



G. MELLEN.

CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mzn juuc 17, ms.

Patented N 0v. 11, 1919.

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CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I7, 1915.

1,321,658. Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

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CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17. 1919.

1,321,658. Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

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GRENVILLE MELLEN, or WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 CONTINUOUS CASTING CORPORATION, OF NEWARK GINIA.

CONTINUOUS CASTING-MACHINE.

specification of Letters Patent.

NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF VIR- Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Application filed .Tune 17, 1915. Serial No. 34,735.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRENVIL E MELLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Llewellyn Park, West Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in Continuous Casting-Machines, of which the followin is a specification.

My invention re ates to improvements in machines for casting continuously rods or bars of any desiredllength and has for its object to simplify the construction of such machines. My machine is of that type in which the molten metal is cast into a mold cavity formed between series or chains of cooperating moving mold-sections; and of that particular type in which the chains of mold-sections are moved vertically, or in a substantially vertical direction. One feature of my improvement consists in omitting v altogether the sprocket or other chain-guiding wheels at the lower end of the machine, thereby avoiding all difliculties of adjustment by allowing the mold-chain to swing free. Further objects of the invention relate to means for cooling the mold-sections;

. to means for cleaning and lubricating the mold-sections; and to an improved means for introducing the metal into the mold cavity and controlling its level therein.

Referring to the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the machine, parts being cut away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the casting tube and accompanying parts;

, Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the device for holding the tube in place;

Fig. 7 is a section of the lubricating apparatus; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through the moldchain. 7

Referring to the drawings, A is a structural steel frame supporting at its upper end sprocket-wheel 1 mounted in shaft 2 and sprocket-wheel 3 mounted in shaft 4. Passing over ,these sprockets are mold-chains 5, 6, consisting of a series of mold-blocks linked together, and preferably constructed and operated as shown in my Patent No. 1,139,885, patented May 18, 1915. The mold-blocks of chain6 move over a fixed guide 7. Bearing against the backs of the molds of chain 5 is a plate 8 or a series of such plates, held inwardly by a series of springs. The mold-chains are thus held in transverse metal sealing engagement, the springs being strong enough to produce so much friction between the backs of the .mold-blocks and the guides that the molds will not move except as they are pushed downward by the power-driven sprockets, the ends of the mold-blocks thus being forced into endwise metal-sealing engagement. Suitable side-guides (not shown) may be provided of the type shown in my Patent No. 1,139,889, patented May 18, 1915. The mold-blocks, while in cooperative metal-sealing engagement are thus pushed downward until they emerge from between the guides. Instead of passin the moldchains around sprockets or guide-wheels at the lower end of the machine the lower bights of the mold-chains are allowed to swing unguided and are then led upward over inclined fixed guides 10, 10, back to the sprockets of the top of the machine. As they pass upward along these guides 10, 10, they are sprayed by jets 11 of cooling water, the jets being connected to a valve-controlled supply-pipe 12. Revolving brushes 13, 13 driven bysuitable gearing from shaft 2 are arranged to clean the inner surfaces of the mold-blocks, and a suitable dressing, such as castor or lard oil, isapplied to the mold-sections by means of an 'airbrush device 14. The .backs and sides of the blocks where they bear against the being a rest for the melting crucible during the pouring. 20 is a valve for controlling the flow of molten metal from crucible 18,' this valve being in turn controlled by a solenoid 21 included in circuit with the battery 22, wire 23, the molten-metal and frame of the machine and wire 24. v

The manner in which the solenoid operates the valve 20 will be apparent .from Figs.

guides are lubricated with a heavy graphite 1, 2, and 4, and is fully described in my Patout No. 1,139,888, patented May 18,1915. 40 is a driving shaft connected to any suitable variable-speed motor.- 41 is a bevel gear box, and 42 a second shaft which, by means of a worm and worm-gears, drives the sprocket-wheels 1 and 3.

43, 43, are a series of water-cooled boxes for cooling the mold-sections, and ma be arranged in the manner shown in my atfent No. 1,139,885, patented May 18, 1915.

. insulation, 28, which may be made of asbescast), are obtained. I

tos and fire-clay. 29 and 33 are binding 15 wires for securing the wire 23 to the silica pouring-tube 30, which abuts against the distance iece 26. 31 are mica Washers interposed between the upper end of the tube and'the sleeve 27, the tube being secured in the sleeve by set screws 32. Additional insulation 34 is provided to insulate wire 23 from the 'tube 30. 35 is a finely-tapered pointedgraphite' tip secured to the end of wire 23 by a threaded brass connection, and extending as shown below the end of the I have found that it is important to provide a finely-tapered and pointed graphite tip for this electrical connection, as by this 30' construction the best results, as far as the avoidance of short-circulting accretions of soot and zinc-oxid (when rass is being In operation, the molten metal flows out of the crucible through the silica casting tube 30 into the mold cavity formed between the series ofcooperating mold-blocks, its level in the mold cavity being automatically controlled by. the solenoid in a manner to be later described. As the, moldfsections move downward, the metal chills and solidifies and is delivered at the bottom in the form of a bar or rod.

Before the mold-sections are again used,

it is important that they be thoroughly cooled, cleaned and provided with afacing of sultable material to prevent sticking ofthe metal. For these purposes they are subjected on their upward journey to the action of a series of water-sprays or jets, the quantity of liquid being so regulated that all the liquid projected against the heated moldsections is evaporated, leaving the mold-sections dry. In their further upward movement they passunderneath a rotating brush 13, whichremoves any scale or other adherlng foreign'particles, and are then. sprayed by means of an pair-brush 14 with a suitable' .facing material, such as castor oil or 1ard oil:. I I I I This facing of oil, preferably 'castor oil,

when volatilized by contact with the .hot' I metahjleaves aslight deposit on the mold prevents the metal sticking thereto at same t me produces but a very small amount of smoke which is deleterious as the resulting carbon forms conducting paths for short circuits of the regulatin apparatus. In Fig. 7 is shown in detai the means for lubricating the backs and sides of the blocks with heavy grease in order to a plunger .50, by whic grease is delivered to the gear-pump 16 which may be driven from the main shaft. The grease delivered lessen the friction between the blocks and guides. The grease'cu 15 is provided with is applied to the mold-blocks through pipes 52 after they have been filled with molten metal, as it is important to insure that the mold-blocks are tightly pressed together before the grease is applied, so that no grease shall get within themolds. -If grease is allowed to come into contact with the molten metal, explosions are liable to occur. 53, 53 are adjusting screwsto control the .grease supply. I

The automatic control of the level of the molten metal in the mold is effected by means of the solenoid 21. If the metal rises too high, a circuit is closed, this circuit being closed through wire 23, battery 22, solenoid 21, wire 24, the frame of the machine, and the molten metal. The solenoid thereupon operates to close or partly close valve 20 and cut off or lessen the supply of metal. Thelevel of the molten metal thereupon falls and breaks contact with'tip 35, the solenoid is deenergized and by the action of the spring 40, the valve 20 is again opened. The automatic solenoid. control thus takes care of an irregularities in-feed, the rate of travel of the mold-sections being soregulated by control of the drivin mechanism as to maintain under norma conditions the level of the metal at the point desired.

It will be noted that the lower bights of the chains of mold-sections are allowed to sag freely at their lower ends, thus permit ting the free expansion and contraction of:

the chains.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine as a whole is mountedto one side of the center of the structural steel frame-work. This arrangement enables the machine to be uncoupled along its'center line and one side pushed away from the other so as to separate the molding-chains for the purpose of cleaning outthe same, in case of necessity.

I cla1m: I 1. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, powerdriven wheels, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, and means for holding the mold-blocks in metal-sealing engagement. during their downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free. a

2. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, powerdriven wheel's, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, means for holding the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their'downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free, and means for cooling each of the chains during its return movement.

.3. A casting machine comprising endless chains of. cooperative mold-blocks, powerdriven Wheels, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, means for holding the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free, and means for cooling, means for brushing, and means for supplying a facing material to each of the chains during its return movement.

4. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, powerdriven wheels, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, means for holding the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free, and means for spraying a cooling fluid on each of the chains during its return movement.

5. A casting machine comprising endless I blocks.

7. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, means for maintaining the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their forward casting movement and a forced feed means for applying grease to the backs of-said blocks.

8. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, means for maintaining the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their forward casting movement and a forced feed means for applying grease to the backs and sides of said blocks.

9. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, means for maintaining the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their forward casting movement and a forced feed means for applying grease to the outside of said blocks comprising a'grease supply, a pump and conduits leading therefrom to the outside of said blocks.

10. A casting machine comprising a sec tional mold, means for opening and closing the mold members while traveling progressively to receive molten material and to discharge the casting, means for discharging cooling fluid separately upon each of the mold members after the latter operation, and means in the further progress of the jmold members for directing fluid upon each of the mold members to revent sticking of molten metal thereto.

11; A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, powerdriven wheels, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, means for holding the mold-blocks in metalsealing engagement during their downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free, and means for guiding the chains on their upward movement.

12. A casting machine comprising endless chains of cooperative mold-blocks, separable power-driven wheels, located at the upper portion of the machine, over which the chains pass, means for holding the moldblocks in metal-sealing engagement during their downward movement, the lower bights of the chains being free, and a support for the upper portion of the machine-of greater width than said portion, whereby the machine can be uncoupled along its center line.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GRENVILLE MELLEN. Witnesses:

ALBERT MGGALL, RoB'r. S. HAYDOCK. 

